Cotton Mather

Date of Birth: February 12, 1663

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: February 13, 1728

Biography

Cotton Mather was a prominent American Puritan minister, prolific author, and pamphleteer who became known for his involvement in the Salem witch trials. Born into a family of influential ministers, with both his father, Increase Mather, and his grandfather, Richard Mather, being well-known religious figures, Cotton Mather grew up in a deeply religious environment. He attended Harvard College, where he graduated at the young age of 15, and subsequently became an assistant minister at the Second Church in Boston. Mather was a central figure in the religious landscape of New England during the late 17th and early 18th centuries, advocating for Puritan values and religious reform. Mather wrote over 450 works, including books, pamphlets, and sermons, which covered a vast array of topics such as theology, science, and morality. His most famous work, “Magnalia Christi Americana,” is a comprehensive history of the Puritan church in New England. Despite his contributions to American religious and intellectual life, Mather’s legacy is marred by his role in the Salem witch trials of 1692, where he supported the use of spectral evidence and played a significant part in the trials’ escalation.

5 Interesting Facts about Cotton Mather

1. Cotton Mather was one of the first people to advocate for the smallpox inoculation in America, a controversial stance at the time that ultimately saved many lives.

2. He was a third-generation Puritan minister, following in the footsteps of his father, Increase Mather, and grandfather, Richard Mather.

3. Mather wrote over 450 publications, making him one of the most prolific authors in colonial America.

4. He was deeply involved in the Salem witch trials, advocating for the use of spectral evidence, which later brought him much criticism.

5. Cotton Mather was a member of the Royal Society of London, reflecting his interest in and contributions to early scientific inquiry.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Cotton Mather

1. “The more we do for others, the more we do for ourselves.”

2. “Charity is the life of religion.”

3. “It is not to be imagined what a flame of piety would be raised if we all lived up to our profession.”

4. “Religion begat prosperity and the daughter devoured the mother.”

5. “The great end of life is not knowledge but action.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Net worth figures are not applicable to historical figures like Cotton Mather, but he was considered to be well-respected and influential within his community.

Children

Cotton Mather had 15 children with his three wives, Abigail Phillips, Elizabeth Clark Hubbard, and Lydia Lee George. However, only two of his children survived to adulthood.